//------------------------------//
// E.S.S: 11 - Who messed up the weather? 
// Story: E.S.S (Equestria's Secret Service) 
// by Power Hors3 
//------------------------------//

E.S.S: 11
Who messed up the weather?

Sugar and Sweetie Drops were on-board a chariot pulled by two pegasus stallions on route to Cloudsdale. Sugar looks over the edge and shakes.
“It's not so bad” Muffins flies next to them.
“It's...so high!” Sugar crouches in the chariot, the wind wispping by her hair.
“It's okay Sugar, just wait till we get there, it's beautiful” Sweetie says. Sugar just nods and remains crouched the rest of the ride. 
They make a soft landing on the clouds in a few minutes, Sweetie and Muffins start to walk on the clouds but Sugar remains in the chariot.
“You can get off now” Muffins goes to her.
“Are- Are you sure...what if I fall??” Sugar looks at her.
“I'll catch you, promise!” Muffins smiles. Hesitantly and slowly, Sugar starts to make baby-steps towards the chariot's edge till her hoof touches the soft cold clouds. She gets out fully.
“I'm on the clouds!” Sugar celebrates aloud. 
“Told you you wouldn't fall” Sweetie smiles. Sugar hops around, other pegasus start to stare at the two non-pegasi. Sweetie grabs Sugar's arm, “Come on let's go before they start asking questions.”
“Okay!” Sugar says joyfully. Sweetie takes out two balloons and fills them with helium from a small tank in her bag. 
“Here tie this around you so it looks like it's keeping you up” Sweetie tells Sugar. 
“Good idea!” Sugar begins to tie it to herself. 
The trio of mares go through the main streets of the sky town, many are flying around. All the while Sugar is in awe staring at the some-how standing cloud structures and avoiding looking down.
“This factory makes weather you say?” Sugar asks Sweetie.
“Sure does, it's the main factory in all Equestria.” She responds.
“How does it even do that?” 
“I'm not sure on the details, I believe they have a bunch of machines that make the weather, all they do is decide when to release it in addition to maintaining the factory in operation.” 
“How do we get it in?” Muffins interrupts.
“I was going to ask you about it since you're a pegasus, I thought maybe you'd know some ways in” Sweetie says.
“Let me think...yeah! But it might be dangerous for you two” Muffins says.
“How dangerous?” Sugar starts to worry.
“I'll have to carry you guys one by one from the bottom of the factory clouds. There are large holes there where exhaust from the engines come from.” Muffins says.
“A waste tube basically...” Sweetie is disgusted. Sugar thinks the same.
“When are these holes not emitting waste?” Sugar asks.
“I dunno, I think it's when those big tubes on top of the main buildings stop releasing stuff.” Muffins points up at the funnels that are constantly spewing a variety of different cloud like things. 
“Doesn't look like it's stopping anytime soon. We'll have to break in the old fashion way.” Sweetie says, “We'll need to disguise ourselves as workers. We also need fake wings.” 
“There's a souvenir shop I know of that sells fake wonder-bolt wings, and other colors too” Muffins says with sudden excitement. 
“Perfect Muffins, go buy some and meet us near the factory” Sweetie smiles. 
“On it!” Muffins flies off quickly. 
“What shall we do meanwhile?” Sugar looks to Sweetie.
“We need to get those disguises. I'm sure there's a tailor shop somewhere, or maybe a general store that sells uniforms.” 
“That's going to be hard to find.” Sugar follows after Sweetie, “I've been wondering, what's your real name?”
“My real name? Why would you want to know that?” Sweetie asks.
“Well I've noticed sometimes when Muffins calls you by BonBon she stutters a little as if she was going to call you by something else first.”
“Very observant, I trust you so I'll tell you, it's Sweetie Drops. Lyra doesn't know so don't tell her okay? Just call me BonBon so it sticks and you don't accidentally call me Sweetie Drops.” 
“Okay I got it now, thanks.” Sugar says.
“Since I answered you that question, I'd like to ask you a little question myself.” Sweetie Drops says.
“Hmm, okay go for it” 
“How are things between you and Alloy? I haven't noticed you two interacting as much as I'm guessing you'd like to” Sweetie asks as she faces forwards looking at shop signs.
“Me...and Alloy, heh, well...you're right about us not interacting as much” Sugar states.
“Something happen or you guys just haven't gotten together yet?” 
“It's..the later..” Sugar quivers.
“Don't be distraught dear, you just need to find a time for you two to talk, maybe a date or two will help.” Sweetie says. Sugar nods silently. “Come now, I'm sure you can work something out with him.” Sweetie smiles.
“I guess you're right” Sugar smiles then points, “Look that store seems to have uniforms.” They head on in.
“An Earth pony and a Unicorn? Hu, unlikely visitors but welcome welcome!” An older faded blue pegasus greets. 
“We're looking for the Cloudsdale worker uniforms, do you have any?” Sweetie asks him.
“Why of course, what section are you two working in? Mechanics I'm sure since well, not to offend but magic user usually repair those tricky spots us pegasus can't get to, and the Earth pones usually dump out all the waste.” The old pony says.
“Oh yes, I'm a mechanic” Sugar agrees.
“Yes, and I'm the ahem, janitorial worker” Sweetie says. 
“Heh, I should have both your sizes” The stallion grabs two uniforms from a counter behind him, “That'll be 62 bits total.” 
Sugar spawns the money and passes it to him, “Here you go. Wait we also need a regular um, cloud mover uniform too.” 
“You mean the cloud workers right?” He passes them the uniforms. They have pre-cut wing slots, “Here you go. Sorry for those wing holes, it's a standard”
“That's okay. Thanks” Sugar says and pays for it as well. They walk out form the store, “Perfect, the holes will do nicely fore the fake wings” Sugar comments. 
“Agreed, now where is Muffins? She should be near here by now” Sweetie looks at the sky for her. They continue on there way to the factory.
“Do we really need the wings though? Remember that old guy said they use unicorns and earth to do some work in the factory too”
“While that's true, it's better to wear those wings than these balloons we have” Sweetie answers.
“Oh you're right” 
“It should be easy getting into the place, their security isn't exactly top natch.” She chuckles a little. 
“You've been here before?”
“Not into the factory itself but in some buildings around here yes.” Sweetie says. They sit near the entrance of the grand set of factory buildings. Behind to time, but faithful, Muffins flies down to them wearing the wings making her appear to have 6 wings in total on her back. Sugar laughs ouy loud.
“How are you still able to fly with those?” Sugar says in laughter. 
“It sorta balances with the weight and stuff” She lands near them. Both sets of wings are in a stationary position, no spread out. 
“The colors are a bit off” Sweetie takes her pair off of Muffin's back. 
“Yeah, sorry these were the closest they had” Muffins smiles.
Sugar takes her's and straps them on, “I feel like I'm ready to fly!” 
“Speaking of which, the spell we used will have to be refreshed in an hour. Do you remember it Sugar?” 
“The spell...uh. Yes, sorta” Sugar places the worker uniform on, which conveniently covers up the straps of the fake wings. 
Sweetie sighs and takes out a sheet from her pack, “Here I brought it in case you forgot” She smiles a little and passes it to her, “Go ahead and cast it again so we'll have double protection.”
“You sure?”
“Positive”
“Okay” She reads the sheet a little and cast the spell on Sweetie which cause her to fall through the clouds instantly screaming. Muffins dives down after her. In a flash though, Rainbow Dash saves her and places her back with Muffins.
“Hey thanks RD!” Muffins smiles as she holds up the trembling Sweetie Drops.
“Yeah no problem guys! Just be more careful.” Rainbow says and flies off. Muffins takes her back up with Sugar.
“..The spell, it...can only be placed back after an hour or it cancels out the previous one..” Sweetie shivers a little.
“I'm so sorry let me cast it again.” Sugar cast the spell and Sweetie steps on the clouds once more.
“It's okay...that was an interesting experience..ahem, let's continue” She places on her worker uniform and passes Muffins here designated uniform. 

Together they enter the factory, random groups of worker walk about the lobby entering halls and talking aloud. “This place is bigger than I thought” Sugar comments. 
“Gals. Look over there.” Sweetie grabs them and points at Rainbow Dash who seems to be sneaking along into one of the halls, she is pulling a sleepy turtle on a leash.
“Hey it that turtle I saw when RD saved you S- BonBon!” Muffins states.
“I hadn't noticed it before, what is she doing here..?” Sweetie says.
“Maybe she works here?” Sugars suggest.
“Records show she's not currently employed here, trust me I know.” Sweetie says, “I think she may be the one we're after”
“But BonBon, I thought they're on side remember??” Muffins says.
“Perhaps, but that doesn’t cover up why she's acting this way here.” Sweetie says firmly. Muffins and Sugar look at each other and shrug.
“Okay then, should we track her then?” Sugar asks. 
“Definitely. Muffins, go out to the outside to make sure she doesn't fly away or tampers with things out there.”
“On it!” Muffins flies out. 
“Sugar, you stay with me and look around carefully.” Sweetie follows where they last saw her. Sugar rushes after her. 
“What if it's someone else is the one to tamper with things?” She asks.
“Then I'm sure we'll run into them. Let's make haste, she's a quick one” Sweetie goes even faster. 
All at once Sweetie stops, “She's going into the engine room.” She stealthily goes inside, Sugar following close by. A blue flash strikes by them. Sweetie jumps nearly screaming. 
“She knows we're here..” Sugar tells her. 
“We should try speaking with her”
“Are you certain?” Sugar asks.
“It's the only way we can know what she's up to” Sweetie states.
“Are you two done talking about me?” Rainbow Dash says from atop. 
“Come down here Miss Rainbow” Sweetie looks up.
“Why? I'm on a mission?” Rainbow says. The turtle bumps into her head.
“What mission?” Sugar asks her.
“A secret one duu” She rubs her head, “How about you two??”
“We, um work here” Sugar says ahead of what Sweetie was going to answer. 
“I wasn't told about any secret mission. This is private property we need an official pass of some sort for you to be here.” Sweetie continues. 
“Yea well...I got something important!” Rainbow Dash quickly kicks off a tube causing the place to become very cold. She then goes on to wreck the place and fly away.
“After her!” Sweetie shouts. The room becomes a mess, lightning boats fly everywhere, water burst out creating a small flood, and the air becomes a thick fog.
“I-I can't see!” Sugar screams. 
“I'm close to you! Follow my voice, we need to get out of here!” Sweetie shouts out. Alarms go off everywhere, some other workers come in and try take control of the situation but it is too late. The machines outside the factory hurl a giant ball of snow back out to Ponyville causing an instant snow in. At the factory Sweetie and Sugar aid in helping power down the rest of the factory. There is an announcement on the intercom telling everyone to evacuate except the engineers. Sweetie and Sugar make their way out with the rest of the workers. At the exits there are royal guards over-watching everyone. Once they see the two agents they come up to them. 
“Princess Celestia desires to speak with you two. Come with us.” One of the three says. 
“Do we go?” Sugar looks to Sweetie. She nods and follow the guards onto a chariot where Muffins is sitting down. 
She waves to them, “Hey guys!” she smiles. They sit by her, “I saw her! She dashed off...I couldn't catch up I'm afraid” 
“It's all good. At least we got who it was.” Sweetie says. She itches her back at the wings.
“Hold on. We're taking off” A guard says to them. The chariot lifts up by two stallion pegasus and then they begin to fly off towards Cantorlot. 
Sugar crouches down, “oh...are we flying again..?” 
“Sure are! We get to go the castle! I haven't been there since the royal wedding” Muffins smiles.
“How long will it take..?” Sugar asks.
“20 Minutes.” One of the flier answers.
Close to the time the pegasus guard predicted, they arrive in a Cantorlot garden, no doubt the royal's. 
“You may exit now” A royal guard comes up to them. They hop off, “Please accompany me to the Princess of the Sun” 
Celestia is on a balcony as they arrive to her spot, “You may leave now Max” She tells the guard. He leaves. “Come sit, I've prepared some tea for you three, although I think it has become a little cold now” She chuckles.
“Sweet!” Muffins sits right away and begins to drink. The other two sit as well.
“Now,” Celestia takes a sip, “Who is our little criminal?” The three look at each other, then Sweetie speaks up.
“It appears to have been Miss Rainbow Dash” She answers. Celestia stops drinking her tea as if in a little shock, but calmly continues.
“That's interesting. Did you find out what brought her to doing such a deed?” 
“We attempted to talk with her about, but she neglected to say anything except that she was on a 'secret' mission.” Sweetie says.
“I'll send word to Twilight for her to confront her about it. As for the damage she caused, I'll see that it's dealt with” Celestia says, remaining in her same calm tone.
“Is she..going to be punished?” Sugar asks.
“I'll leave that duty up to Twilight, but if you're interested, I'll have you meet up with her” 
“Meet with Twilight? I've only meet her once at my town” Sugar starts.
Celestia chuckles, “Ah yes Sugar Belle. Twilight mentioned you in a letter. You're from the village Starlight Glimmer was in correct?” 
“Mhmm, I mean yes ma'am.” Sugar says quickly. 
“Don't be shy dear,” She sips more tea, “Though I have been intrigued with your appearance here in Equestria and what brought you to E.S.S.”  
“I..uh..well am kinda embarrassed to say” Sugar's face begins to redden. 
“Heh, it's okay Sugar you don't need to tell me if you feel it's too uncomfortable.” Celestia smiles.
“Thank you” Sugar says.
“This whole deal with former director of the E.S.S Notts is a dangerous matter. How has it been going along?” Celestia asks them. 
“Alloy is the one that's been in charge of it, I've been meaning to talking to him about it. He seems to be pushing us away from it though” Sweetie admits. 
“Pushing away? I would recommend speaking to him about, we wouldn't want something to happen to him” Celestia says, “Which one of you five is the new director of E.S.S?”
“It's been undecided. We've all worked on the decision making all together, well not so much Jackson since he just recently joined us.” Sweetie replies. 
“A sort of counsel you have going then? If what you say about Alloy making the calls for the Notts operations, then get involved in that. Unless you all would like him to be the director.” Celestia suggest.
“He has contributed a lot to the rebuilding of E.S.S. It might not be such a bad idea” Muffins suddenly says with a mouth stuffed with cake. 
“I agree with Muffins here. Alloy has pulled his resources to build the office and has basically lead us on most missions.” Sweetie says.
“I'll see to it that E.S.S gets paid for in all the cost it took to build it. I know Alloy's father. He's one of our high end business-ponies in the land. Alloy is an interesting one, he was on my suggestion list for joining my private magic classes but his father pulled him out before he joined. Perhaps one day Alloy will consider joining the school, after all there are something even he doesn't know”
“Hu, that would have meant he would've been studying with Twilight” Sweetie states.
“What he would've become Princesses Alloy!” Muffins says with laughter. 
“That would be so weird!” Sugar laughs, “Though I think it'd be Prince Alloy.”
“Correct. His destiny however is still up in the air. All of us have something in life to go for, it all depends on whether you take the right paths and put in the effort to see that dream is achieved. All of us have the potential to be great or to be cruel and evil. Our circumstances may vary, and it is the way we react to those situations that determines who we are.” Celestia finishes her tea, “Thanks for joining me here, you all know what you must do.”
“It's been a pleasure” Sweetie says. The three walk out from the castle, but ot before Max, the guard, catches up them. 
“Excuse me ladies, the Princess forgot to mention that you'd all be escorted back to your homes.” He says to them.
“Oh of course, will we be going on the chariot again?” Sweetie asks.
“Yes, not the same one though, follow me” He says in a rush. Sweetie and the rest follow, but Sweetie begins to feel unsure, they are headed away from the castle which is one of the few places in Cantorlot that has the chariots. 
“I think we can catch the train” Sweetie tells him. 
Sugar adds to that, “Yeah I think I've had enough flying around for one day, I feel sick” 
“It'll be a short ride, don't worry.” Max says, “Besides it's the princess' orders”
“I'm sure she'll understand if we take the train.” Sweetie states. Max stops and turns to face all three.
“You need to change your plans then” He says more aggressively, and turns back around. All three look at each other confused. Sweetie stops.
“I don't think so Mr. Max.” Sweetie stomps her hoof. 
“What's going on?” Sugar asks her.
“You two run. Now.” Sweetie tells them. She takes a defensive stance. Max turns around in a moment and shoots four rounds from a hidden gun. Sugar creates a shield in a flash causing the bullets to ricksha in random directions. Ponies around them begin to run and scream. Sweetie jumps at Max, trying to get a hold of him. He teleports just a little out of her way causing her to flip on the ground. She stands upright. 
“Who are you!?” Sugar shouts at Max. Muffins takes Sugar aside for cover.
“A stallion looking to complete his mission!” Max answers them. He begins to shoot at them again. Sweetie moves out of the way, the bullets skim her hair. 
“BonBon!” Muffins shouts out.
“I'm alive, get Sugar out of here!” Sweetie replies. 
Muffins grabs Sugar's hoof, “Come on we need to leave!” 
“We can't just leave her here alone defenseless!” Sugar pulls her hoof out of Muffins.
“The royal guards will get here soon, she'll just distract him long enough for them to get here! Come on!” Muffins, again, takes her hoof and this time takes off from the ground holding onto Sugar. 
“I'm losing my grip!” Sugar says to her. 
“Just hold on a little longer! Use your magic to hold yourself better.” Muffins suggest. Sugar forms a magical grip around their hooves. 
“I think I got it! Where are we going??” 
“Celestia.” Muffins flies towards the towers. A group of guards fly past them swooping in so fast the wind nearly knocks Muffins off course. 
Sweetie Drops looks from behind a corner. Another shot chips the wall, nearly taking her head, “He's a good shooter” She thinks. She looks around her, there is a door near her, baskets of food, and a few crates. 
“Come out and I won't kill you” Max says from a distance, he keeps on nearing her. She launches a crate at him, but misses he grabs the crate she threw with his magic and throws it back towards her with greater force. The crate hits Sweetie's corner shattering it into little wood pieces. 
“Who sent you?” She half-shouts. He teleports himself behind her, but she manages to react in time to kick him in the face sending his firearm to fall out of his reach. She takes it and points it at him, “Who sent you?! Answer me!” She says viciously.
“Ha you damned Earth pony!” He uses his magic to shove her across the street and crashing her into a shop window. She lies there suffering from multiple cuts and bruises. He starts to near her, but just then the guards fly in blocking him. He teleports away, not to be seen by anyone.
“Search the area!” A guard orders the others. On on the guards goes to her and helps her up.
“Ma'am come with me, you need medical attention.” He offers. She slowly nods and, with his help, leave to seek aid. 
Sugar and Muffins land at the garden they arrived at at first, “She should still be here.” Muffins says. The rush up the tower Celestia was at but are stopped by the appearnce of Max who shoots at Muffins, hitting one of her wings. 
“Muffins!” Sugar covers her. Muffins screams in pain.
“Sugar, get out of here! I can handle him!” Muffins stands back up. Sugar forms a shield around them. 
“You think so?” Max reloads his weapon, “I already took care of you other little friend. You think you can really handle me? Ha come and try!” 
Sugar's shield is suddenly strengthened by a yellow glow. Max falls to the ground. His weapon melts into an orange pile of metal. Celestia lifts him up and makes him disappear. 
“Muffins, Sugar. Are you two okay??” She comes to them.	
“Thank you Celestia!” Sugar says in tears, “Muffins got injured by that thing he had! I think he got her wing!”  
Celestia lifts Muffins up with her magic and mends her wound with her magic, “Feel better?” 
“Yes..thanks!” Muffins smiles. She starts to fly around cheerfully. 
“I'm glad to hear you both are safe, word just came of Sweetie Drops, she's at Cantorlot Hospital being taken care of.” Celestia says.
“What happened to her??” Sugar asks, she is trembling a little.
“Fear not, it's not fatal. She was knocked into a shop window. Go see her, and once you all recover, we need to meet again.” Celestia turns and starts to leave.
“Where'd you put that guy, Max?” Muffins asks, she glides down to Sugar.
“I moved him to a prison, his magic will not be able to get him out.” Celestia answers as she goes away. 
“Who was than stallion..?” Sugar asks Muffins as they start to walk out of the castle. 
“I think it may have been an agent of Notts. Max, I don't recall anyone named that in our old agency, that must not be his real name. I recognized his...weapon..yes. I think I know who he is..” Muffins gulps.
“An agent of old E.S.S here to silence us..? Are you sure?” Sugar shakes.
“I'm certain, but we'll need to interrogate him to make sure...” Muffins and Sugar make their way to Sweetie's location. 

End of Chapter 11.